So you’re contemplating setting up an online business and need WordPress to set the ball rolling. Well, be assured that you have come to the right place. Not just you, more than 30% of the websites that live today require WordPress. After all, it is a scalable and powerful platform and is absolutely free.
Not just that, WordPress is an excellent platform, but it may not be the perfect pick for all. So if you are just keen on selling some products as a side business or something, WordPress would be equivalent to hiring buses instead of taking an Uber, which is costly, time-consuming, and definitely unnecessary.
But if you want to stick around and use WordPress in the long run, then do consider building your eCommerce website here. On that note, here’s a detailed step-by-step guide WordPress eCommerce development that will help you launch your eCommerce website on WordPress.
Choose a good domain name
The domain name is basically the website’s unique address. It’s that part that comes after the www after your URL. You could easily buy yourself a domain name via Name Cheap. Or if you are lucky, the dream name might be unavailable or even available at a high rate. Some cost thousands of dollars so you have to be very careful.
This is, however, just the 1st year and even the priciest of domain names tend to review them at very standard rates. It is usually a great idea to keep your domain name close to the brand name and keep it as memorable and short as you can.
Keep a hosting provider
So now that you have got your domain name in a big, it’s time you find yourself a web hosting provider. Every website basically needs nothing. It is the same as renting a spot for your internet and making sure you get to pick a patch while allowing lots of room for it to grow.
So when you are choosing a good hosting provider, make sure you also keep in mind the kind of store you would like to build.
One thing you will have to do though is completely skipped hosting. Whenever you are sharing a server along with other websites, if you find one of them getting hacked, your website will look vulnerable too.
Compared to different WordPress eCommerce development platforms and builders, you need to install good software in order to stay on top of all your security and updates.
You should also rate Bluehost because it also automates a lot of things for you, even while offering many solid hosting on its own at a good price. It is also a win-win wherever it is concerned.
Install WordPress
There are two important ways you can install WordPress. First, click on the one-click install option through the hosting dashboard. Second, manually download WordPress and then upload it on the hosting account.
We would highly recommend you to take the 1st option as it is very easy and is definitely an option you should recommend.
When you choose a provider, make sure to look for something that offers the perks of one-click installations. You can also check out various list providers in order to see which selection is best.
After you are done signing up with the hosting provider that gives you various kinds of installation, you just need to go to your dashboard and hit the button that says install your WordPress.
Install WooCommerce
If you want to add the eCommerce functionality to your profile, make sure to add WooCommerce. It has excellent ratings from thousands of users, has 4 million active installations, and is growing in popularity quite quickly.
If you are wondering, here are a couple of reasons. First and foremost, it is free. WooCommerce is an open-source platform that’s built by communities. While you might need to pay for a few extensions, you could also turn the website into an online store without having to spend a lot.
This also includes carts, checkouts, product pages, shipping options, secure payments, automated calculations of tax, integrations with Mailchimp, Facebook, google analytics, etc.
However, if you are not keen on using this. You could also look at some of the other WooCommerce alternatives. Till then, take a look at the other steps you need to process, configure and install WordPress eCommerce development.
Activate WooCommerce
Next, you need to activate WooCommerce. First, log into the WordPress dashboard and then head towards the plugin directory. You can do this by clicking on the plugin which is located on the left-hand menu. You can also search for WooCommerce in the search bar and then click on the install now button.
After a couple of minutes, the button will turn blue which says activate. Click on that. WooCommerce is a helpful wizard that will walk you through the entire process of WordPress eCommerce development setup.
Add Business Details
Next, you will have to fill out all the business details. Now, this is pretty much self-explanatory. Next, see all the options under the line that says ‘I would like to sell more digital and physical products.’
Select Your Payment Options
After this, you will have to choose the right payment methods. While PayPal and stripe are both excellent options, we would recommend you to enable both. You could also add the accounts in a later date in case you don’t have any of them set up yet.
Confirm your shipping options
After that, you might have to check the shipping rates. WooCommerce is one such platform or the area you are presently at and then set that as your present shipping zone, along with the other option basically as the rest.
You could either set up a fixed price for all zones, set the shipping as free or integrate with carriers who get live shipping rates as well.
Choose plugins
After this, you have to pick recommended plugin you need to take forward in WordPress eCommerce development to all your stores and whether you want to opt for any WooCommerce own themes. It’s really easy to add them all, later on, so you don’t have to feel like you need to commit towards anything at the moment.
We will also cover all the recommended plugins as well as themes later in the article so that you can unselect some for now, unless you feel completely sure of them.
Activate the jetpack
In the last step, you will be asked to activate the jetpack. This will help you enable payment setups as well as automate taxes so that you can continue your own. You can click on continue with a jetpack in order to get it done. In that way, it’s best that your basic configuration gets sorted. It’s also time that you add your products.
Choose your theme
Next WordPress eCommerce development, choose your theme. This will act as a basic design for all the web content. The best part about word press is that it is completely customizable. You could either customize it or add a new HTML code. This will help you find something that’s special and unique.
Apart from that, you could also take up the opportunity to complete the customization process. It also chooses the theme as it closes the complete finished product.
In simple words, you could pick up a theme of your choice that will work well for your website, even if it also means splashing out the premium template for any third-party website.
Many popular third-party websites also prefer buying themes that include theme forests as well as elegant themes. However, there are a lot of websites out there. Once you find a good number of products, you can find more interesting stuff. For this, you need to find a good theme.
You could also find a decent collection of WordPress themes within the directory of themes that you could easily access through the dashboard. Here are a few steps you need to follow:
1. Log in to the WordPress dashboard.
2. Look at the appearance and then click on themes. This will also take you through the theme dashboard.
3. You can also click on the button right above the theme that says add new.
4. A couple of themes can also be tried and tested before you find something of your choice. Then you can click on the install button under the theme you want to download.
5. After a few minutes, a button will show under the theme that says activate. Click on this and the theme will be yours.
If you want to install a premium theme on your website, follow the next couple of steps:
1. Download the zip file of the new theme
2. Log into the word press dashboard
3. Hover over the word appearance. Then you can click on themes. This will take you to your theme dashboard.
4. Click on the button above your theme which says ‘add new’. This will take you to the WordPress dashboard.
5. Click on the blue button which says upload theme.
6. You will now be prompted to choose any file on your computer. Choose the new file next.
7. You will also see a new message with a link that activates the theme.
Apart from that, you could also theoretically build a template, add it to the internet. It will help you assess how trustworthy it is before you take any plunge. Poor themes could make your website easily prone to hacking. So make sure to check a demo or get a feel of what it looks like in real WordPress eCommerce development.
Add Products
After installing Jetpack, you will be able to see a screen that invites you to add your products. In case you don’t want to add them right away, it’s okay. Whenever you return to the dashboard, go to the products on the left side and then add new. Here you will require the next couple of things:
1. The name of the product
2. The price of the product
3. The image of the product- this should include the entire look of the product.
4. Other product images. Make sure to add different angles and closeups.
5. The product description should be added next.
6. A short product description is also a good idea.
7. The product category could also include where it belongs, eg- plant plots.
Add More Products Using Woo Commerce
How you need to add products to the website will have to depend on the product type. On that note, here’s a look at the six different types of products in WordPress eCommerce development: Simple products, virtual, variable, external, grouped and downloadable products.
WooCommerce offers you a detailed and excellent guide that explains what the product type means and how you can go around uploading each kind of product. To explain this, we will stick to plant pot usage.
You can add all the information on the screen while adding the product category on its right-hand side. You could also click on the + add new category as well which is shown on the right side.
You can click on + to add a new category that has been underlined on the right. If unselected, it will be marked as uncategorized. If you have more pictures to upload, you could to the product gallery section that falls under your main image.
Once the key information has been added, you will have to click all the tabs and add all specific details if required. To know what all that’s covered in your tab, take a look at this quick overview below:
1. General: This is a tab that we are currently at. It should cover the prices and the tax.
2. Inventory- This is the place you add all the SKUs. If you want, it will help you track the inventory.
3. Shipping, which also includes shipping costs as well as product dimensions.
4. Linked products that can be updated later with more complementary products.
5. Attributes: If there are variable products, then this could be an excellent place to add all the various versions.
Once you like what you see, make sure to hit that publish button on the right-hand side. If you want to see more products, you could click on all products.
Is WordPress Good For Ecommerce Platforms? Here Are 5 Reasons That Will Convince You!
WordPress Has Various Plugin Options
WordPress is an excellent software that helps you build that great website you’ve always wanted. But, many people also find it difficult to find specific features that cant is found in your core product.
Here’s where the importance of plugins comes. Smaller bits of software can be uploaded on your word press in order to improve your functionality.
On that note, take a look at some of the e-commerce plugins you can pick from.
WooCommerce
This one has already been talked about a lot! WooCommerce has great security options, offers friendly features, and has financial functions that you will require while conducting business.
Ecwid
This plugin offers something you would definitely want from your eCommerce solution. It has easy store-building functionality and also supports responsive designs as well. It also lets you add your store to Facebook and also includes apps that you could use to manage your website.
Easy Digital Downloads
While this plugin won’t offer you several features like the others, it will definitely give you the benefit of being specifically designed for websites that sell good digital products. If that’s your thing, then you should definitely consider this as a straightforward choice.
Ecommerce options can be found in abundance
You could also select themes that will act as your biggest decision. Themes are usually packages that determine the styling of your website, how they are laid out, how their menus and features and sidebars work. Your theme really matters as it controls how your website appears to your website. It also affects how easily you can access such information and make all the right purchases.
You should also choose themes that are designed for e-commerce specifically. You may want to find themes that provide enough options for customization, a design that is responsive, and an interface that is user-friendly as well. You could also suggest using a theme that comes bundled in any e-commerce plugins.
Just like the plugins, you will find many options. We would also recommend you to take a look at Uncode. Some of the features of Unicode also include:
- Different options for layouts that are well designed and well suited for online stores. You could also check out shop landing, shop metro, classic, creative and parallax.
- A good layout that is responsive and has adaptive images that make your customer experience a complete pleasure.
- You can also find many customizable options like the layout of the website, settings, appearance, and so on. You will need to create something that helps you stand out from others.
- You can support other plugins as well before you make a final decision.
Community Support Is Also Easily Available
WordPress is an excellent tool that gives you easy access to all options required while WordPress eCommerce development.
There are many possibilities and options you’ll have to sort through and there might be some conceptual or technical information you may have no idea about. But WordPress has an excellent community that helps you learn and evolve together.
Some of the options for learning also include
- Official WordPress support website
- Structured courses like Lynda and apprentice.
- Dedicate the YouTube channels like crafter and beginner.
- WordPress blogs
- Stack exchange.
WordPress customer is easily accessible. So when you are in doubt or are experiencing a problem and need an answer to your question, make sure you google it.
You Can Easily Find Security Options
Once the plugin and theme have been chosen, make sure to set up your site. And while you do that, you will need to keep one thing in mind: which is security.
The website will help you benefit from using security measures for e-commerce websites. Your online store also contains data as well as records for all your financial transactions. All your details must also be protected at all costs.
Although WordPress is essentially a secure website, you should do something on your part to boost the security. The WordPress community offers you official updates so that you are updated on what’s happening in matters of security, gives you frequent backups so that you can site something that goes wrong, free tools like Sucuri security that ensures the websites defenses & activity trackers that will track activity and change your website.
Are there other solutions for WordPress?
Yes, there are many platforms like Squarespace, big commerce, and Shopify where you can build your website for selling products online as well as building e-commerce friendly websites.
They also offer many templates, functionalities as well as abandonment recovery to help your site security and build the website you need. So if you want to make the most of your website, start investing in such design services as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Having your own ecommerce website for your business is the 1st step to building your presence in the marketplace. For that, you will have to create an attractive storefront that is professional, gives all your customers what they want, and runs in a smooth manner. Here’s where WordPress eCommerce development comes in.
They will help you find a more customizable, flexible platform that is well-supported. By now, you must have got a good understanding of what WordPress is. But before we end the post, here’s a quick recap of what we have spoken about so far!
1. It has plugin solutions in abundance.
2. Has many themes like providing options.
3. Has security options that are easy to find
4. Has community support easily accessible.
5. Offers exciting websites that provide much-needed inspiration.
Do you also think WordPress is a great eCommerce solution? Do let us know your thoughts and suggestions with us in the comments below.
Sonal S Sinha is managing director of Shri Krishna Technologies. He has been writing about website designing, digital marketing and WordPress ecosystem for the past 15+ years. He handles the overall operations and in his free time writes suitable blog posts which are knowledgeable and informative.
